Agency Relations Committee Meeting

I. WELCOME REMARKS (11:00 – 11:10a.m. ET)

II. MEMBER ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: LESSONS LEARNED IN 2025, PLANS FOR 2026 (11:10 – 11:45a.m. ET)
We’ll begin the meeting by reflecting on our accomplishments of 2025, and how they will impact our plans for 2026. Come prepared to share your annual recap, as well as your aspirations for the New Year. This conversation is open to all attendees.

Moderators:
Kerry Kielb, Director, Vendor and Agency Management – AT&T and Agency Relations Committee Co-Chair
Kwan Yim, Director, Global Agency Management – Citi and Agency Relations Committee Co-Chair

III. THE MARKETER’S PERSPECTIVE ON AGENCY RELATIONS (11:45a.m. – 12:20p.m. ET)
Earlier this year, various ANA committee members shared their perspectives on agency management models. The results revealed the key tenants of agency value. To expand on those results, we will hear from two study participants about their own experiences working with agency partners.

They will discuss:

• The most predictive quantitative and qualitative indicators of long-term agency success.
• Early warning signs that an agency relationship is misaligned, and how to course-correct before performance suffers.
• The most misunderstood aspects of agency value in their organizations, and how they advocate for agency value internally. 
• The role of transparency in client-agency relationships, and how it affects financial, strategic, and creative decisions.

Panelists:
Chase Hill, Director of Social Media – Newrez
Anne Wright, Director of Marketing Strategy & Insights – Mayo Clinic

Moderator:
Peter Kenigsberg, Senior Director, Brand & Media – ANA

IV. BREAK (12:20 – 12:25p.m. ET) 

V. HOW AI IS IMPACTING AGENCY OPERATIONS, COMPENSATION, AND MORE (12:25 – 1:00p.m. ET)
As we look ahead to 2026, AI continues to dominate headlines. With its promise of greater efficiencies and cost savings, clients expect to see a reduction in agency fees as a result of more AI adoption. Reality has not yet met expectation, raising concern that AI’s bottom line business impact may not be noticeable. In the middle of this transformation is Ashley Connell who leads Prowess Project, a consultancy for agencies to implement their own AI solutions. Here, Ashley will outline how agencies implement AI, how it affects their operations, and the ways it will change client-agency relationships moving forward.

Speaker:
Ashley Connell, Chief Executive Officer – Prowess Project